[alasz11]

I just got this e-mail from the good people of gmax:

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL

Attention All gmax® Customers,

SUBJECT: Interim FIX available for gmax (.gmax) file corruption caused by
recent Microsoft Windows Updates.


PROBLEM:

The Microsoft Hotfix 823980 which has been made available through Windows Update
to all Windows 2000 and XP operating systems and service packs causes the
corruption of gmax (.gmax) files.

As a result, all .gmax files saved with the Windows Hotfix 823980 installed may
not load or may destabilize gmax on systems without the fix.


WHO IS AFFECTED:

The following operating systems configurations will experience gmax file
corruption:

Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Hotfix KB 823980 under XP
Hotfix KB 823980 under Win2K SP3 or lower

Note: we previously thought this problem extended to Windows NT 4 SP6 but have
found under further testing that it does not affect users on that Windows
version.


RESOLUTION:

According to Microsoft, Hotfix 823980 addresses potential security issues in its
operating system. As such, if you anticipate picking up Hotfix 823980 some time
in the future - either manually or via automatic Windows updates through
WinUpdate, you may consider updating to Hotfix 823980 now, and ALSO IMMEDIATELY
follow the instructions below for adding the latest Hotfix described to address
the .gmax file corruption issue.

For those of you who have updated to Hotfix 823980 or Windows 2000 Service Pack
4 and encounter the problem described above, Microsoft has a new, early-version
Hotfix available.

For access to this early Hotfix, customers can call 800-936-4900 and request
Hotfix - Q824136 for Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

You will be asked to provide your Name, Email and Zip Code, then the ~1Mb Hotfix
will be sent to you via email attachment within about 10-15 minutes. The fix
will only install if you have previously installed one of the affected hotfixes
or service packs listed above in the “Who is Affected” section.

WARNING – be sure to back-up any critical data on your system before installing
the new MS Hotfix.

After installation of the new Hotfix Q824136, you should open and resave any
affected files.

This Hotfix is expected to be fully tested and officially released through
Microsoft within a couple of months.

This new Hotfix is also available for some localized language versions of
Windows. When requesting the Q824136 Hotfix, make sure to request the language
that matches your installation of Windows.

We are actively working with Microsoft to provide contact information outside of
the U.S. and Canada. Check the Discreet gmax Support site at
http://www.discreet.com/products/gmax/, for more information when it becomes
available.

Too bad I already installed the update, and can't be bothered to call for a fix. No wonder everything I've done in GMAX has been corrupted of late. Does anyone have another solution for this?

[Opals25]

ABP:

Already Been Posted

[Boomerang_Python]

thats crappy by microsoft..

[alasz11]

Originally Posted by Opals25

ABP:

Already Been Posted

where?

[HighGround]

general discussions, did anyone get this email message

[Flyby]

Catch 22 :
if you install hotfix 823980 you can no longer exchange your files with others that do NOt have the patch installed, but you're protected against the MSblast virus.
If you don't install the patch, you'll be able to echange your gmax or 3dsmax files, but then you're receptive to the MSblast virus

whatever you do, you're screwed !!

[Sypher_5]

I've posted this twice, once with an update. I've known about it for months now, its posted all over GmaxSupport Forums and even has a Discreet Offical Post about it.

SP4 killed my comp anyway, I have two more Win2k Machines I'm not liking the idea of updating.

[alasz11]

Originally Posted by Flyby

Catch 22 :
if you install hotfix 823980 you can no longer exchange your files with others that do NOt have the patch installed, but you're protected against the MSblast virus.
If you don't install the patch, you'll be able to echange your gmax or 3dsmax files, but then you're receptive to the MSblast virus

whatever you do, you're screwed !!

Will I be able to open files that were made before the hotfix?

[Flyby]

from my experience, yes, you can open your old files. (i can at least)

[tanka]

that is bullshit. i can't make my barracks model anymore. microsoft or the gmax staff better hurry up and fix it.